Posted by admin on Nov 9, 2018 in blog | Comments Off on Plastic Surgery Adverts Banned by ASA
The breast enlargement adverts shown in-between this year’s TV hit Love Island, caused outrage across the country. Now, the ASA has banned the plastic surgery advert from ever being aired again, claiming they contribute towards a woman’s poor self-image, glamourizing surgery. Below, we’ll look at why plastic surgery ads are potentially harmful and what led to the ban being enforced. Why all the controversy? Attitudes towards cosmetic surgery have changed dramatically in recent years. It has become much more acceptable for both men and women to go under the knife to alter their appearance. However, while the stigma behind having plastic surgery may have disappeared, care still needs to be taken to protect young, vulnerable patients. The MYA cosmetic surgery ad ran from May to June during the ad breaks for popular series Love Island. It showed young women dancing, laughing and posing around a swimming pool, on a boat and on a beach. Its voiceover declared that all of the women had undergone breast enlargement surgery and now felt amazing. It managed to receive 17 complaints, one of which came from the Mental Health Foundation. It was claimed that the ad exploited the insecurities of young women, as well as trivialising the procedure. It gave the impression that women wouldn’t be happy and live the kind of carefree life shown in the ad, unless they underwent the surgery. The ASA agreed with the complaints, banning the ad completely. How plastic surgery ads could prove harmful The main risk these types of adverts pose according to the BAPPS, is the damage to the body image of vulnerable and young patients. With so much pressure placed onto young people to look perfect, the last thing they need is to be bombarded with ads regarding cosmetic surgery. While there is no denying that plastic surgery can be a positive, life-changing experience, when carried out for the wrong reasons it can prove potentially damaging; especially to those with mental health issues. Often, surgery doesn’t fix the underlying issues when patients are suffering from a mental illness. This means they could end up regretting their decision, or it could even potentially make them feel even worse about themselves. Patients need to be aware of how serious cosmetic surgery is Another issue with the breast augmentation ad, was that it trivialised the procedure. It may be one of the most commonly performed treatments, but... read more

Posted by admin on Oct 22, 2018 in blog | Comments Off on Danger of cosmetic surgery abroad still high
After the recent death of British woman, Leah Cambridge, the dangers of having cosmetic surgery abroad have once again been pushed back into the limelight. Thousands of women fly to foreign countries each year to undergo cheaper cosmetic procedures. However, many don’t fully realise the dangers they are putting themselves in. The tragic story of 29-year-old Leah Cambridge should, therefore, serve as a serious warning to those considering travelling abroad for surgery. Here, we’ll look at the dangers of cosmetic surgery abroad and the things you need to consider before going ahead. Why is cosmetic surgery abroad considered dangerous? As the cost of cosmetic surgery abroad can save patients anything from 40% to a staggering 80%, it’s easy to see why so many are tempted. However, what you need to realise is that it isn’t just the cost you need to consider when undergoing a cosmetic procedure. All cosmetic surgery is risky. Each procedure poses its own risks and complications, even when carried out by a highly-qualified surgeon. However, in the UK the industry is highly regulated. This means, practising surgeons are required to have in-depth training and experience. Sadly, you don’t get the same level of regulation in most other European countries. This means, there are a lot of inexperienced surgeons operating abroad. When you undergo cosmetic surgery with an inexperienced surgeon, the risks and complications are greatly increased. In some cases, like that of Leah Cambridge, the results can even prove to be deadly. Understanding what could go wrong What can go wrong will largely depend upon the procedure you’re looking to undergo. In Leah’s case, she underwent the popular Brazilian Butt Lift procedure. Made famous by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, the Brazilian Butt Lift is currently considered one of the most dangerous procedures to undergo. If the injections aren’t done correctly, they can trigger a fat embolism which travels up to the lungs, leading to premature death. It requires an expert surgeon who knows exactly what they’re doing. Other risks of having cosmetic procedures carried out abroad, include infection and the chance it could go completely wrong. Many patients have had to undergo additional procedures in the UK after having botched procedures carried out abroad. The importance of choosing an experienced surgeon Due to the advancements in the cosmetic surgery field, the risks of modern-day procedures should not be life-threatening. If patients... read more

Posted by admin on Oct 10, 2018 in blog | Comments Off on Do I need a boob job or breast lift or both?
When you think of cosmetic surgery, breast augmentation is likely one of the first procedures which springs to mind. There’s no denying the boob job has always been one of the most popular cosmetic procedures carried out. However, thanks to developments in technology, numerous different types of procedures have been introduced to achieve the same, if not better, results as the traditional methods. Breast lifts are often considered an alternative to a boob job. The question is, which one do you need? A boob job, a breast lift or both? Below you’ll discover everything you need to know in order to make the best decision. Do you want bigger or perkier boobs? The main question that’s going to help you to decide which procedure is right for you, is whether you want bigger or perkier breasts. If you want bigger breasts, a boob job would be the best option, whereas if you just want to correct sagging breasts, a breast lift would be more appropriate. If you want bigger and perkier breasts, a combination boob job and breast lift would be the best choice. What’s the difference between a breast lift and a boob job? A boob job, or breast augmentation, places an implant inside the breasts to enlarge them. These come in a wide variety of different sizes and shapes in order to produce a natural result. A lot of things need to be considered such as the current size of your chest, the shape of your body and your lifestyle, before the right implants can be chosen. A breast lift involves re-shaping the breasts to lift them up and correct sagging. It doesn’t increase the size, it just focuses on breast position. So, if you want to increase the size, a breast lift won’t help you to achieve this in its own. Both procedures will require an incision to be made, though the placement of the incision will depend upon numerous factors. Why a combined approach is often used Many women choose to have a combined breast lift and breast augmentation procedure. If you currently have sagging breasts, a boob job alone won’t offer aesthetically pleasing results. Therefore, a breast lift would be required to ensure your new breasts look natural and aesthetically pleasing. There are also times where, even if you didn’t plan on increasing the volume of the breasts, it would prove to be your... read more

Posted by admin on Sep 22, 2018 in blog | Comments Off on Brow lift or blepharoplasty? Which is the best treatment for ageing eyes?
It’s said the eyes are the window to the soul. This may well be true but they’re also one of the strongest indicators of ageing. Droopy eyelids could eventually happen to us all as we grow older so it’s perhaps comforting to know that there is a range of aesthetic solutions to the problem. Two of the most common are the brow lift or the eyelid lift (otherwise known as blepharoplasty). Both treatments can have a startling effect on ageing, taking years off you without actually looking like you’ve had work done. It’s very common for friends to comment how youthful you’re looking without actually being able to pinpoint why. What is involved in the treatment? A brow lift is focused only on the upper face and forehead. Classically, an incision is made on or above the hairline and the skin is pulled taut to help remove the sagging. These days most surgeons prefer a less invasive method known as an endoscopic brow lift. Blepharoplasty involves removing or repositioning tissue from the upper eyelid and around the eyes, including any unsightly bags. There will be some scarring, but the thin skin on the eyelids typically heals very well and any incisions are typically hidden in the normal folds of the eye, so are to all intents and purposes invisible. Although both procedures are routine they are invasive surgery and will usually be carried out under a general anaesthetic. Recovery times are similar in both cases with full recovery normally taking four to six weeks. Which is the best treatment for sagging eyelids? This is probably the wrong question. It probably makes sense to ask, “which treatment is more appropriate for me?” The fact is that sagging eyelids can be caused by a number of things so it’s vital to identify the source of the problem before choosing the solution. Ageing eyes can be caused by excess skin around the eyelids, a drooping forehead or a combination of both. Determining the root cause should define the most appropriate treatment which might well be a brow lift and blepharoplasty together. It’s not just the ageing effect either that might prompt treatment. Some people are born with naturally drooping brows and there’s even a medical condition which prevents the eyelids from opening as wide as they should. In some cases, surgery may even be required to help with impaired vision where the... read more

Posted by admin on Sep 12, 2018 in blog | Comments Off on Should I wait until after I have had children before having a breast augmentation?
There really isn’t a complete consensus amongst breast surgeons when it comes to answering this question on breast augmentation timing. The reality is that no two cases are the same and there are many variables to consider before making the decision to undergo a breast augmentation prior to completing your family. Breast augmentation has little impact on pregnancy The good news is that the procedure has little impact on a pregnancy. In a number of studies, including a ten-year one carried by the American FDA, the procedure has been proven to have no impact on fertility and in no way affects the gestation period (no threat of miscarriages) or cause birth defects. There is evidence to suggest that in a few cases breast augmentation may cause difficulty in breastfeeding, but this is hard to prove definitively and it has been suggested that in these cases the reason is more likely to be psychological than physiological. One of the first questions to ask yourself is how soon are you planning to get pregnant? If it’s in the next 12 months, then it might be better to hold off from the surgery. Whilst it’s not likely to have an effect on the pregnancy or the baby after childbirth the size and shape of the breast will change for the majority of women and this should be a consideration before embarking on a procedure that might need further work after having your family. Whilst breastfeeding, the breasts will swell and when they reduce back to their pre-pregnancy size they often tend to sag and lose some of the perkiness. It’s quite possible that a woman who’s had a breast augmentation before giving birth will still be happy with the results later, but many women choose to return for a further operation. In these cases, larger implants may be fitted to fill out the stretched and saggy skin or a combination breast uplift and augmentation is performed. There isn’t really any way of predicting how breasts will change after childbirth. Some surgeons recommend looking at the mother’s body shape as a guide, but this can be taken as no more than a loose indication. For some women the changes are minimal whilst for others, it can be dramatic and life-changing. The length of time spent feeding on the breast and the number of children can all have an effect too. It’s different for... read more

Mr Horlock's NHS practice is based in the regional plastics
unit at Salisbury District Hospital. He covers Salisbury,
Southampton and Dorchester. He sees patients in his private
practice at Southampton, Salisbury, Dorchester.